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Muzaffarabad: Chinese held in AJK over Quran desecration

Muzaffarabad: Chinese held in AJK over Quran desecration

MUZAFFARABAD: A Chineseman working on an energyproject in AzadKashmir was being held Saturday after hundredsofprotestersattacked his companyoffices over the allegeddesecration of Holy Quran, officials said. Lee Ping, administration manager of a Chinese consortium building the NeelumJhelumHydropowerproject, was accused by co–Pakistaniworkers of throwing the Quran on the ground.

“We have taken Ping into protective custody after protests erupted in the company when Pakistanilabourers saw him throwing the belongings of a Pakistaniworker including the Quran,” SardarGulfraz, a seniorpoliceofficial, told AFP.

Lee Ping was moving the belongings of a Pakistanidoctor after he had refused to vacate his room for relocation. “Doctor Sajid had a dispute with the company management about the relocation of his room. He refused to vacate the room and Ping threw out all his belongings in anger,” said localpoliceofficialRajaAnserShahzad.

“Locallabourers saw Ping throwing out luggage including the Quran and they started protesting. Later, people from outside the company also joined the rally and around 1,000 protestersattacked the offices,” Shahzad told AFP. Police said the incident happened at midday on Friday, when localMuslims were preparing to offer their main weekly prayers. “They broke vehicles and windows inside the company premises. We have called in extra police to protect instalments and have also moved Ping to a secret location for protective reasons,” Gulfraz said. Authorities said a commission had been formed to determine whether Ping was involved in a desecration or not.

Blasphemy is a very sensitive issue in Pakistan, where 97percent of the 180millionpopulation are Muslims, and even unproven allegations can spark a violent public backlash. Rights campaigners argue the blasphemy laws, for which the maximum penalty is death, are often abused to settle personal scores and should be reformed.

“(Ping) will be charged under the blasphemy law only after this commission confirms that he was involved in a serious violation,” Gulfraz said. In March, more than 3,000 furious Muslims rampaged through the JosephColonyarea of Lahore, looting property and burning buildings after a Christian was accused of blasphemy.

Pakistan and China have close friendly relations and Chinesefirms and engineers are working in development and energyprojects across Pakistan.